909 W. Main St. 1904
The home that used to sit at 909 W. Main Street for about 55 years was built in 1903 by Robert L. Sparks. Robert was a turn of the century contractor builder and built the home for his father Francis Marion Sparks and step mother Mary Jane (Pease) Sparks. Continue reading
Robert L. Sparks was born on March 18, 1876, near where Peabody No. 3 mine once stood, about one mile northwest of Marion. Continue reading
Francis Marion Sparks was born on April 21, 1840 in Marion, Illinois to John G. Sparks and Rebecca (Casey) Sparks. While a baby, his father followed the pursuit of attaining a law degree and by 1850 the family was living in the Northern District of Jackson County where his father John G. Sparks practiced law. Continue reading
John G. Sparks 1811-1891
John G. Sparks was of Scotch ancestry. His parents settled in Virginia and afterwards moved to Posey County, Indiana, where he was born on September 22, 1811. When about eight years old his parents brought him to Staunton, McCoupin County, Illinois, where he remained until he was twenty-one. Continue reading
702 S. Market Street appears to have been built very shortly after the turn of the century for Charles W. Schwerdt. It was built specifically for Shwerdt by Robert Sparks, a local contractor who also built the Marion Opera House at 400 N. Market St. Continue reading
